Hornets at Lakers
THE STORY: Los Angeles seems to have every advantage in this first-round series that opens Sunday and could not have asked for a better way to start its quest for a third consecutive title. The Lakers are bigger, more experienced and have the homecourt advantage against New Orleans. The Hornets also must try to navigate this tough matchup without injured David West.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE LAKERS: The Lakers were 17-1 after the All-Star Game but lost five in a row and were in danger of dropping to the fourth seed. They blew a 20-point lead to Sacramento in the regular-season finale before winning in overtime. They also lost Andrew Bynum to a bone bruise in his right knee earlier this week. Bynum is expected to start Sunday and he makes the Lakers a different team. The Lakers did not have Bynum in the 2008 playoffs after he dislocated a kneecap and they “didn’t finish it off and win,” coach Phil Jackson said. “And that’s the difference between having Andrew and not having Andrew. It’s about the rebounding and strength that we can have in the middle.” Of course, as long as the Lakers have a healthy Kobe Bryant, they always have a chance.
ABOUT THE HORNETS: New Orleans held on for a playoff berth
despite losing West to a season-ending torn ligament in his left knee.
Chris Paul is a candidate for most valuable player for carrying the
Hornets to the playoffs, despite averaging a career-low 16.0 points.
Paul is probably the only player with an edge on the Lakers, going
against 36-year-old Derek Fisher. The Hornets also lost their last three
games by an average of 22 points. “We’re in this position because we’ve
done some things well and we can’t lose sight of that,” New Orleans
coach Monty Williams said.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: New Orleans guard Marco Belinelli is shooting 51.4 percent from the field and has made 18 of 40 3-pointers in his last eight games. Bryant averaged 26.8 points and had two 30-plus point games in four games against the Hornets this season.
KEY STATISTIC: The Hornets finished 5-4 without West, but just 1-3 against Western Conference playoff teams.
SEASON SERIES: The Lakers won all four games this season, and three were by double digits. The Lakers have won seven of the last eight games. The teams have never met in the playoffs.
LAST WORD: “It doesn't matter if you win 60-something games, as long as you win enough to get in. Now is when the fun stuff starts.” – Paul on making the playoffs.